Family Fest events
We are pleased to offer Family Fest in South East London (Sunday 7 July), Kent (Sunday 28 July) and East Sussex (Sunday 14 July). Each will be a day for families to come together, have fun, make memories and meet other families in their region. There will be live music, refreshments and lots of activities for everyone!
Family choir day
Do you enjoy singing or listening to music? Join us for our Summer Choir Day which will take place at Demelza Kent on Friday 9 August. The day will include a fun warm-up followed by learning and singing a couple of well-known upbeat songs.
Sibling activities
Led by family liaison practitioners, these days are an opportunity for Demelza siblings to make connections with other siblings whilst taking part in activities and having fun during the summer holidays! There will be games, refreshments and, fingers crossed, some sun.
Summer sensory bags
Request a summer-themed music sensory bag via the programme. The bags include sensory items that can be paired with tracks that have been chosen by our music therapy team. These will be delivered in the month of August.
Transition Network hydro pool group
Young people aged 14+ and their families are invited for a group hydro pool session. The transition team are excited to be delivering a group session in the hydrotherapy pool at Demelza Kent on Saturday 20 July. It will be a fun session with friends!
Family Coffee and Cake
An opportunity to enjoy a few hours as a family during the summer holidays to create some memories together, including
refreshments (tea, coffee and squash), crafts and a chance to chat with our senior leadership team. We hope to see you there on Friday 23 August!
Celebrating Disability Pride Month
This year the Family Fest events fall within Disability Pride Month and there will be opportunities to find out more about the awareness month.
Find out more by reading below and visiting the following links:
- BBC Newsround Video "What is Disability Pride Month?"
- Living Made Easy Article "The History of Disability Pride"
If you'd like to share your feedback, comments or ask any questions about Disability Pride Month the please email family.engagement@demelza.org.uk.
Disability Pride is not, as many may first think, related to sexual orientation or the LGBTQ+ community. Disability Pride actually originated in the US and marks the signing of the Americans with Disability Act in 1990 which was a transformational law that enabled equal rights and opportunities for those living with disabilities. Since then, it has grown and spread to become an internationally recognised month of awareness spreading and celebrations for the disabled community.
People with disabilities still face huge barriers to full inclusion and equality in society. Disability Pride Month can offer an opportunity to raise awareness of the barriers that disabled individuals face and to celebrate the hard work and successes of campaigners.
It is something that can be interpreted in many ways, including as a celebration of the incredible support and love that is shared as part of a community.
Absolutely - everybody is welcome! The most important part of Disability Pride Month is for individuals to be able to take from it what helps them and feel no pressure if that’s nothing at all.
Whether that’s to decide not to take part, to embrace it as a celebration of the hard-earned successes of disability advocates and campaigners, or the pride in being part of a community rich with support, friendship and love – it is up to you.
Additional information
Deadline for expressions of interest
The deadline is 9am, Monday 13 May. At this point, any expression of interest for a Summer Programme event or activity is an expression of interest only. All families, regardless of location, are invited to express an interest. If events and/or activities are oversubscribed, priority will be given to families that haven't previously attended and a draw will be carried out to allocate remaining places. We will be in touch to confirm if your family group have been allocated an event/activity by the end of the day on Friday 17 May.
If you have any questions about the Summer Programme please email or call the family support helpline on familysupportdepartment@demelza.org.uk or 01795 845280 (Monday-Friday 10am - 4pm).
Seasonal programmes
Each season we aim to offer families a programme of events and activities which include family events, opportunities to feedback on Demelza services, networking opportunities for parent / carers of young people aged 14+, creative therapies (art / music), sibling activities and deliveries (chocolate eggs in spring and festive gifts in winter)!
The next seasonal programme (autumn) will be advertised in July 2024.